Susan ordered what we thought was a complete exhaust system from FCP Groton.
It arrived promptly but we failed to inventory the box before we started tearing
down. Seems like it doesn't have anything before the pipe that fastens onto
the CAT. The item marked "exhaust" on the packing list is a Starla muffler.
All the stuff looks good but the problem is that her down pipe failed at the
bracket, resulting in extreme noise, and the set we got does not include a
down pipe or whatever goes between the cat and the first muffler. I'll work
that out with them Monday. Meanwhile under the car we noted a black sticky
place adjacent to a dent on the gas tank. Wiping it off revealed a crack about
an inch long, seeping pretty fast.

So we are pumping out the tank using the car's fuel pump. Not sure we can
get it fixed.

Does anyone have a gas tank that would fit a 1980 245 that they want to sell
or trade?

Many thanks

Call the dealer, George.

This gas tank failure was subject to a VCNA recall.

I just had the tank on my '75 245 fail in a similar fashion.

VCNA footed the bill for a tank, pumps, lines, etc.

The job would have cost me ~$1800 retail.

that recall USED to be limited to the 75 to late 77 or early 78s only. if the drain plug on the tank leaked, you got a tank. be suprised if it really covers his car, since the later tanks don't have drain plugs. off i go, chuck.

That's how they solved the leak? By getting rid of the drain? Sheesh. Makes it a lot harder to drain the tank.
--
1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb and M46 trans

Really?
The dealer is 45 miles away. S'pose I should call them?
Thanks,

that recall was limited to the early cars with drain plugs on the tanks. if the drain leaked, you got a tank. the late 78 and later cars had no drain plug. i'd be suprised if the recall applies to you. good luck, chuck.

Hi George!

I've had pretty good luck in getting stuff liked cracked downpipes welded up. I've got a 245 turbo that had a cracked downpipe. New one was around $100 but a muffler shop welded it up for me for $10 and it has held for two years now. If they shorted you a piece, of course you should get it but a guy good with a mig welder can do miracles with this stuff.

I just had a gas tank failure in a '59 544 I bought, Rust holes everywhere. NAPA does have a pretty nifty epoxy and fiberglass patch which should work great for one crack. I tried it for the first leak I found on this car but soon realized I was trying to patch up a cheese grater. I do have a gas tank out of an '81 wagon but I don't want to spend six hours draining it removing it drying it and packing it. It's free but you have waltz around Texas to Colorado get it.
--
Volvo Farmer:

20 Volvos '58-'91

This is so thin and so much missing it is not repairable. In fact of the
whole system the downpipe was the worst part. I have all the parts she didn't
need too badly and .......(this is beginning to sound like a story about
JCW!)

I may someday have the chance to come to Colorado but not as soon as we need
a tank! Now that it is empty (thanks for electric fuel pumps!!)it shouldn't
be too bad. I think I trust my radiator shop further than epoxy, especially
considering what they are doing with gasoline these days.

any tank from 80 to 93 will work. earlier 1's are a little trickier to make work. good luck, chuck.

You may be able to fix the tank. There's a metal epoxy stick available for a few dollars that can be used for patching gas tanks.
--
1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb and M46 trans